PERFORMANCE OF SOME LOCAL NIGERIAN TURFGRASSES IN SOLE AND MIXED STANDS

Abstract

The study assessed the performance of Axonopus compressus, Chysopogon aciculatus, Sporobolus pyramidalis, Eleusine indica and Dactyloctenium aegyptium in turf establishment. The five grass species planted in sole and mixed stands were varied with the legume - Desmodium triflorum. Ground cover differed significantly among grass species and their mixtures from 4 - 11 weeks after planting (WAP) but ground cover in the legume and no legume subplots were not significantly different from 4 – 6 WAP. Eleusine, Axonopus and Dactyloctenium and their mixtures had higher ground cover than those of Sporobolus and Chrysopogon. There were significant differences in ground cover among grasses and mixtures at 3 and 6 weeks after clipping (WAC), and grass[1]legume subplots and subplots without the legume were different at 3 and 4 WAC. Recovery weeks after trampling was faster in sole stands and mixtures with Axonopus and Eleusine, indicating they are better adapted to trampling.